DEXTER AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

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1 DAHSAM News A LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT Come to A CHRISTMAS TEA Dear Members, As 2013 draws to a close, let us reflect on all the good events that have taken place at the Museum and Gordon Hall. The Pioneer Arts Fair in March plus the Guild s Spring and Fall Appraisal Clinics were very successful and brought in much needed funds to keep the Museum running. In June, Dexter s Civil War Days at Gordon Hall was once again very successful. In August, the Dexter Daze Tours at Gordon Hall were rewarding, and the Dexter Daze Raffle brought in needed funds. The funds collected from these events go toward reduction of our mortgage. We are making significant progress on this goal. A special event at Gordon Hall December 1, :00 pm and 4:00 pm Sittings $25.00 per Person To Make Reservations Call: B. Hill at or P. Albright at Come to TREES, TRIMMINGS AND TRAINS Students from the Dexter Schools continue to use our Museum and Gordon Hall as resources. Recently second graders visited Gordon Hall and will soon visit the Museum Please plan on attending our Holiday Bazaar and Christmas at the Mansion events and remember to make a few extra items for the bazaar bake sale. Thanks again for your help and support. Bene Fusilier, President DAHSAM HAPPY THANKSGIVING MEMBERS! All Aboard to Gordon Hall Friday, December 6 th - 6:30 pm Train Display Spirits, Hearty Hors d oeuvres, and Sweets $40.00 per person For reservations contact: Ina Germain at or

2 Supporting the Dexter Area Museum Since 1974 CHRISTMAS AT THE MANSION 2013 Come to the GORDON HALL EXPRESS December 7 & 8 10:00am to 4:00pm Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club Displays Visits with Santa / Refreshments Suggestion Donation Collected at the Door: $5 adult- $1 kids ages 1-7 For more information call Sponsored by the Dexter Area Historical Society & Museum, a 501(c) 3 organization Saturday, December 7 th Shop the Heritage Guild s Holiday Bazaar and Bake Sale The Dexter Heritage Guild will present its annual Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, at the Museum. Visitors will find tables full of delicious baked goods and a large variety of items handcrafted by Guild members everything from holiday ornaments and décor, hats, scarves, toys, and fresh evergreen wreaths, to the Guild s signature scrubbies and firestarters. The Museum s Corner Gift Shop will also be open during the Bazaar. Save the date: CIVIL WAR DAYS 1866 June 6, 7, 8, 2014 DID YOU KNOW that Gordon Hall is available to rent during the Spring, Summer and Fall for events such weddings, baby showers or family reunions? Contact Bene Fusilier at for details. THE DEXTER HERITAGE GUILD 2 Crafts and Conversation Keep the Lights On Members of the Dexter Heritage Guild love crafts, conversation and the Dexter Area Museum! That s why they meet all year long to create unique gifts and special holiday items for the annual Bazaar. Workshops are held at the Museum between 9 a.m. and noon on the third and fourth Wednesday mornings from January through August, then every Wednesday morning from September up to the Bazaar on the first Saturday of December. All that crafting

3 translates into excellent support for the Museum s day-to-day operation. Donations of craft supplies are greatly appreciated and new members are always welcome to stop by and help with a project. made the Come Blow Your Horn weather vane, a contemporary rendering of a 19 th -century piece depicting a whaler with a horn. The weather vane is designed for indoor use and can be mounted on its base or hung on a wall. The Guild also holds special events, such as the spring and fall Antique Appraisal Clinics and the Pioneer Arts Fair Bake Sale, to raise funds for specific purchases for the Museum building and collections. The recent restoration of a large Victorian kitchen cabinet and the framing of a vintage advertising sign were both made possible by Guild activities. Calling All Bakers: Start Your Ovens! Enter the Drawing for Full-size Quilt or Wooden Weather Vane If you buy a ticket to enter the drawing at the Guild s Holiday Bazaar on December 7 th, you might win a beautiful, full-size quilt or a handsome weather vane. Marcia VanderBroek created the Star Formation quilt and donated it to the Guild for the drawing. Wally Fusilier Remember those rich brownies, beautiful pies and tortes, melt-in-yourmouth caramels, and yummy cookies at last year s Holiday Bake Sale? The very successful sale was truly a testament to the number of Historical Society members who are also wonderful bakers. As the Bake Sale is such an important part of the Holiday Bazaar, we hope you can help the Guild by making a treat or two from a favorite recipe. Small plates (e.g., 4-5 cookies), sturdy packaging, and clear labeling will help us have a great bake sale. Guild members will be at the Museum on Friday, December 6 th between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. to receive donations. Thank you and happy baking! PLEASE SAY YES, WHEN YOU GET THE REMINDER CALL!! NEW AT GORDON HALL 3

4 Gloria Shore has donated a lovely antique brass birdbath and statue, which was placed in the garden on the left side of the driveway. Thank you, Gloria. This is a beautiful addition to the grounds at Gordon Hall. TWO MUSEUM ADDITIONS Two new pieces have been added to the museum collection. One is a glass cabinet being used to store some of the bird carvings donated by Alicia Pratt. Both are valuable acquisitions for our Museum. The other is a refurbished, large corner kitchen storage cabinet from the home of Margaret Amsdill on Gregory Road. See the next article for more information. A BIT ABOUT THE PANTRY STORAGE UNIT FROM 7861 GREGORY ROAD Complied by Carol Jones PROPERTY HISTORY: Joseph Allen, who died in 1833, purchased the property, which originally consisted of 160 acres, from the government on May 23, In the 1856 plat map, the property is listed as owned by his widow and in the 1864 plat book it was owned by his son, Erastus Allen, who was a shoemaker in Dexter. By the next set of atlas maps in 1874, the owners of this property were William and Gottlieb Benz. This is also the first time there is a house indicated on the property. In 1895 Gottlieb alone is shown as the owner and in 1915 it indicated that John Benz was the property owner. By 1934 Gustave Leuneberg was the owner of property and lived there for a time but then the parcel became a rental property. Wes and Margaret Amsdill purchased the land in 1950 and in the 60 s, did a major renovation on the house and removed the large pantry cabinet from the kitchen in order to access a space for a powder room and laundry. This cabinet was donated to the Museum and in 2013 it was refurbished and installed in the kitchen area of the museum. It consists or four pieces and they form a corner unit, stacked upon each other, and standing 9-10 feet tall. The current owner of the property that the house stands on is Elizabeth Brickman who purchased it in GORDON HALL HOLIDAY RENTAL AVAILABLE Host your office, club or family party in the beautifully decorated for the winter holidays Gordon Hall mansion. Rentals are available for December 2 nd, 3 rd and 4 th, For more information, please contact Bene Fusilier at

5 THE WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL CONSORTIUM Report prepared by Nancy J. Van Blaricum, Volunteer Genealogist, Dexter Area Historical Society and Museum. The Washtenaw County Historical Consortium is formed by over twentyfive historical organizations and agencies throughout the county, with an aim of promoting local area history. Representatives of the various groups meet every other month at different sites. Recently we have experienced the Rentschler Farm Museum, the Hack House in Milan, the Halle Library at Eastern Michigan University, the Kempf House Museum, the Cobblestone Farm Museum, the Saline Depot Museum, and Sharon Mills. In September this year we hosted the WCHC at Gordon Hall. Twelve different groups were represented and fully appreciated all the effort we have put into maintaining and improving Gordon Hall. I showed a short presentation, pointing out the many different groups who have supported Gordon Hall, including the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Service organizations, school children (many of whom began helping in 2001), and Rebuilding Together. Some of the events held at Gordon Hall shown in the presentation include the American Girl Doll Tea, weddings, movie nights, the American Cancer Society Turn the Hall Purple event, Christmas at the Mansion, Civil War Days. The program also included Sybil reading a history story to the 2nd graders, our participation in the Memorial Day Parade, the Gordon Hall Raffle, and August Dexter Daze public tours and 2nd grade fall educational tours. Thanks to Jennifer Colby, Ina Germain, Julie Knight, James Smith and many others for sharing pictures. Thanks also go to Bene Fusilier who was on hand to answer questions and also lead tours of the attic for those interested. Finally, special thanks to Jan Stagg, who brightened up the hall with flowers (something commented on by our guests). I have had the privilege of attending these meetings and would encourage others from the board to get involved. Our next meeting is on December 12th at the Ypsilanti Historical Society. UPDATE ON 2 nd GRADE TOURS FROM DOCENT SYBIL VAN HOUTEN Gordon Hall Tour Numbers: October 15th, 4 classes of 2nd graders which translates to 108 kids, 44 parents, 4 teachers and 4 aides; October 17th, 5 classes of 2nd graders consisting of 135 kids, 59 parents, 5 teachers, and 3 aides. These same classes attended Museum tours at the end of October and early November. This hands on history lesson is the very best way for our children to learn their local heritage and their exposure to our Museum and Gordon Hall helps keep our legacy alive. Many thanks to our parking attendant, Paul Bishop, and docents: Gil Campbell, Paul Cousins, Richard Ashley, Bene Fusilier, Sandy Matsco, and Mary Kimmel. Without these volunteers this tour would not be possible! 5

6 WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF THOSE DEDICATIED TO KEEPING UP THE GROUNDS OF OUR PRECIOUS MUSEUM AND HALL? Much gratitude is extended to Paul Bishop, Jim Wheeler, and Mike Williams for comprising a fabulous mowing team! The Dexter Garden Club members seem to always be there when we need them. Most recently they did a yard clean up at Gordon Hall on October 21 st! Have you ever wondered about the beautiful spring plantings that just seem to appear and then flourish all summer? And then along came perennial Hydrangea additions. Jan Lyons and Sharon Wheeler know a lot about this. Jan Stagg and Terry Stacey are also in the know. We are grateful for your time and efforts! On September 26 th, Washtenaw County Historical Society Special Project Manager, Melissa Milton- Pung, led the Board during a goal setting workshop. Many thanks to all who generously shared their time and talents toward the success of this session! Thanks to all who contribute to the operations of Dexter Area Historical Society and Museum in any way. You are the ones behind this thriving organization dedicated to the preservation of our local history! The recent restoration of a large Victorian kitchen cabinet and the framing of a vintage advertising sign were both made possible by Guild activities! REMINDER: Dues for all annual memberships is due in January Our Mission Statement Honoring the lasting influence of our heritage; inspiring civic spirit with historic beauty and the power of place; connecting with the past to light the future at the crossroads of our communities. December 6, 2007 The Dexter Area Historical Society welcomes new members. Its many activities provide a place for all who are interested in local history. For more information stop by the Museum or contact Membership Chair, Cindy Henes at cdhenes@gmail.com. Dexter Area Historical Society and Museum 3443 Inverness St., Dexter MI